Insights from a Queer Economist: Women Can Thrive Without Male Partners

Corinne Low, a well-known economist and author, seems like she's truly living her best life after tying a very special knot with her partner, Sondra Woodruff. This momentous event in her life ties in perfectly with what she's exploring in her upcoming book, *Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and Getting The Most Out Of Yours*. Low's own story champions that women can find happiness and purpose beyond traditional partnerships with men, drawing from both her personal experiences and solid research.

The power data has over your relationship choices

After her divorce from her son's father, Low made a conscious decision: she was going steer clear from dating men. Her choice wasn't made lightly; it was rooted in a concept called "heteropessimism," which reflects many straight women's discontent with men. Through her detailed studies, Low discovered that men often lag when it comes maturity, education, and emotional availability compared with women. Low puts her findings under a magnifying glass by observing that even in situations where men earn less than their female partners, they still seem reluctant when it comes time divvying up household chores. And here's a fascinating tidbit: post-divorce, women spend less time on housework, while men spend more. It's like, men can do their fair share around house, but just choose not when someone else steps in.

Pushing back against old-school gender roles

For Low, "having it all" meant flipping her relationship script by removing a male partner from her life. The divide between what men and women expect from relationships has widened, thanks in part, social media trends such as "manosphere," "trad wives," and "incel" movements pushing back against feminism. But Low and Woodruff are taking a different route when it comes household roles. They're all about splitting everything equally, not letting old-fashioned gender roles dictate who does what. Low makes light her history with men, noting that while she's not physically put off by them, she's not on board with traditional male roles socially or politically. Her perspective on relationships feels freeing, allowing her explore dynamics beyond heterosexual norms.

Reimagining how relationships can work

More and more women are choosing single life, and Low says it's an evidence-backed decision. They're stepping out from dating because it doesn't meet their standards. We've seen movements like South Korea's feminist 4B, which advocates keeping interactions with men minimal, echoing this. Of course, ditching relationships with men isn't an option every woman can or wants pursue, but Low suggests that setting new terms and reclaiming your time can make relationships fairer. She often shares these insights with her students who seek her advice on love, grounding her words in data that highlights gender expectation gaps.

Success and partnership, redefined

Low points out how some nostalgicize traditional female roles, which she sees as part larger resistance against changing gender dynamics. Instead waiting around societal shifts, she and her wife prioritize fairness and equity in their own relationship. In their home, chores and responsibilities are evenly split. Their eight-year-old son takes part too, learning about teamwork and accountability. Just recently, he chipped in with making dinner, offering a glimpse at how future generations might move past outdated gender stereotypes. All in all, Corinne Low's journey and insights call us rethink what gender roles really mean in relationships. Using data and her own lived experiences, she inspires women consider new ways finding happiness and fulfillment, paving path balanced and fair partnerships.